Vector-borne Infectious Diseases in Pakistan

11
Boutonneuse Fever
(Mediterranean Fever)
Rickettsia
conorii
(bank vole), Microtus sp.
(prairie vole) Ondatra
zibethicus (muskrat)
Transmission: Bite of
various hard ticks
Primary vectors:
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
(brown dog tick)
(nationwide),
Haemaphysalis spp.
(eastern 1/2 of the
country)
Secondary vectors:
Dermacentor spp.,
spp.) are endemic in the
northern 1/3 of the country
Transmission period:
Peaks in spring and fall,
year-round transmission
possible in synanthropic
rodents (rats)
Mode of transmission:
- Transmission can be
sylvatic, rural or urban,
depending on the behavior
patterns of the
vector/reservoir species
and their level of
synanthropy
- Rodents release urine in
tiny droplets
(micromicturition) to mark
territory; transmission of
virus via aerosol or dust is
therefore very efficient
Transmission period:
May-Oct., year-round in
cases of building
infestations or chronic
infestations in dogs and
other house pets
Incidence and
seroprevalence:
Endemic nationally; 1991
seroprevalence for tickborne
rickettsia was 18%;
of prairie voles and field
mice, if licensed
Preventive measures:
- Avoid contact with dogs,
house pets and livestock
- Use insect repellent and
permethrin-treated
uniform
- For infestations indoors,
use an acaricide or barrier
spray (e.g.,
Propoxur(=B5)), since the
tick species listed actively